Dare Babalola
Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has condemned the reported use of teargas by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital during an attempt to arrest a senior medical official.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi described the incident as a “thoughtless act,” saying he was disturbed by reports that EFCC operatives stormed the hospital premises in a bid to arrest Professor Eyo Ekpe.
“I have just read the recent troubling reports of how the operatives of the EFCC allegedly stormed the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital in a bid to arrest Professor Eyo Ekpe,” Obi said.
While acknowledging the constitutional responsibility of law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties, Obi faulted the manner in which the operation was reportedly executed.
“While I understand and respect the fact that the EFCC, and indeed, all other government agencies have their constitutional rights to do their jobs without interference, the manner in which some of these jobs are carried out is often deeply troubling,” he stated.
According to Obi, reports that teargas canisters were discharged within the hospital environment endangered patients, healthcare workers and others on the premises.
“Reportedly, the EFCC operatives who stormed the hospital shot some teargas canisters within the hospital premises which sent medical staff and patients running for safety. This thoughtless act greatly compromised the general safety in the hospital environment and further jeopardised the health of the medical personnel and the sick people in the hospital,” he said.
The former Anambra governor stressed that adherence to the rule of law and orderly conduct remains essential for national development, warning against actions that undermine public confidence in state institutions.
“I have always said that the most fundamental intangible asset upon which any nation functions effectively is the rule of law and order. The disorderliness allegedly demonstrated by the EFCC operatives at the hospital must not be encouraged. Nothing justifies the use of teargas canisters in a fragile hospital environment,” Obi added.
He also raised concerns over the treatment of highly skilled professionals, especially in Nigeria’s struggling health sector.
“If a Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery is arrested in such a demeaning manner in a hospital environment, what signals are we sending to other medical professionals working hard to keep our health sector afloat?” he queried.
Obi noted reports indicating that Nigeria has only about 80 cardiothoracic surgeons serving a population of over 230 million people, adding that Prof. Ekpe is reportedly the only specialist in that field in Akwa Ibom State.
He urged public institutions to uphold civility and professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
“Let us learn to do better. Let us condemn and eschew the rascality and disorderliness that have continued to characterise some of our public offices and bring in civility in the discharge of our duties,” Obi said.
